WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TRAIN YOUR CREW?

The best time to train your yacht crew can depend on several factors, including the specific needs of your crew, the nature of your yacht operations, and crew scheduling considerations. With the high season now upon us, yacht crews will be at their peak in their efforts to provide the ultimate experience for guests on board.

In recent years, the importance of crew training in delivering high standards of service, efficiency, and teamwork has become increasingly apparent. However, timing plays a crucial role in maximizing the results of crew training, as explained by industry experts in the article we found on Onboard Online. Here are some general guidelines we came up with that may help:

During the Off-Season: If your yacht has a defined off-season or downtime when it's not in operation or has fewer charters, that can be an ideal time for crew training. During this period, your crew may have more availability and fewer responsibilities, allowing them to focus on the training without the distraction of regular operations.

During Yard Periods or Maintenance Downtime: If your yacht is undergoing scheduled yard periods or maintenance downtime, it can be an opportune time to conduct crew training. This can help ensure that your crew members are well-prepared for the upcoming charter season or yacht operations once the maintenance work is completed.

Before the Start of the Charter Season: Prior to the start of the charter season or any peak operational period, conducting crew training can be beneficial. This can help your crew members refresh their skills, learn new procedures or protocols, and ensure they are prepared for the demands of the upcoming busy season.

Off-Duty Hours: Consider scheduling crew training during off-duty hours to minimize disruption to the regular operational duties of your crew. This can help ensure that the training does not interfere with their regular work responsibilities and that they can fully focus on the training without distractions.

Considering Crew Rotation and Availability: Yacht crew often work on rotation schedules, such as 4 weeks on and 4 weeks off. When planning crew training, consider the rotation schedules of your crew members to ensure that all crew members can participate and that it does not disrupt their work-rest balance. Also, regular crew training across all departments can be productive in so many ways.

"Anything we can do to include multiple departments in training is so advantageous for crew morale and bonding. The added benefit is understanding other departments and their pressures and workloads. If you have a large team separated into service and housekeeping, these combined trainings are super valuable to ensure well-rounded crew members that can easily jump departments when required. Setting them up to smash goals is the best!"

Considering Time Zones and Travel: If your yacht crew is spread across different time zones or needs to travel for training, take into account the logistical considerations such as travel time, jet lag, and scheduling challenges when planning the training sessions. It's important to ensure that crew members have enough time to rest and recover from travel before engaging in training.

Feedback and Flexibility: Seek feedback from your yacht crew regarding their availability and preferences for training sessions. Being flexible and accommodating to their needs as much as possible can help ensure that they are able to fully participate and benefit from the training.

Crew training is a vital aspect of ensuring exceptional service and operations onboard yachts. As highlighted by industry experts, timing is key to achieving optimal results. To delve deeper into this topic and read the full article, we invite readers to visit Onboard Online.

For more valuable resources on yacht crew training, check out our main deck, your go-to destination for all things related to professional crew development. Happy training and smooth sailing!